Broome to hold memorial service for students who have died

Published: Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 4:49 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 4:49 p.m.

Before the football season opener Friday night, Broome High School will hold a special remembrance for two students and a former student who died recently.

The game will be dedicated to freshman Chaquantei Qualiq Fowler, who died Wednesday, former student Kylie Erin Gillette, who died last week and Elijah Morgan Dixon, an incoming Broome freshman who died in June.

Fowler, 14, died after he suffered a medical emergency and collapsed on the school's track Wednesday afternoon. According to a School District 3 spokesperson, a school nurse and athletic trainer administered first aid until EMS arrived and transported Fowler to Mary Black Memorial Hospital.

Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said efforts to resuscitate Fowler at the hospital were unsuccessful.

Thursday afternoon, the coroner's office released a statement indicating preliminary findings appear to show Fowler's death could have been a heart-related issue.

Microscopic analysis also will have to be performed to give a more definitive cause of death, Clevenger said.

“We offer our deepest prayers and sympathies to this student, his family, and Broome students and faculty,” a District 3 spokesperson said in a statement.

Kylie Gillette, 17, moved to Johns Island and was killed in a car crash in Charleston last week. Elijah Dixon, 14, died on June 17, two months and a day before school started.

Students and Spartanburg residents took to social media to offer condolences and messages of support to the families and the school community. Many posted on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #BroomeStrong.

One user tweeted, “Such a small school with so much love #BroomeStrong.”

Another tweeted the message, “We're in this together Centurions. We need to lift each other up. Not only for the week, but for the rest of the year. #BroomeStrong.”

District 3 canceled all district-related events on Thursday, including the board of trustees meeting scheduled for Thursday evening.

Broome hosts Chesnee at 7:30 Friday night. The remembrance ceremony will be held before kickoff.

<p>Before the football season opener Friday night, Broome High School will hold a special remembrance for two students and a former student who died recently.</p><p>The game will be dedicated to freshman Chaquantei Qualiq Fowler, who died Wednesday, former student Kylie Erin Gillette, who died last week and Elijah Morgan Dixon, an incoming Broome freshman who died in June.</p><p>Fowler, 14, died after he suffered a medical emergency and collapsed on the school's track Wednesday afternoon. According to a School District 3 spokesperson, a school nurse and athletic trainer administered first aid until EMS arrived and transported Fowler to Mary Black Memorial Hospital.</p><p>Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said efforts to resuscitate Fowler at the hospital were unsuccessful.</p><p>Thursday afternoon, the coroner's office released a statement indicating preliminary findings appear to show Fowler's death could have been a heart-related issue. </p><p>Microscopic analysis also will have to be performed to give a more definitive cause of death, Clevenger said.</p><p>“We offer our deepest prayers and sympathies to this student, his family, and Broome students and faculty,” a District 3 spokesperson said in a statement.</p><p>Kylie Gillette, 17, moved to Johns Island and was killed in a car crash in Charleston last week. Elijah Dixon, 14, died on June 17, two months and a day before school started.</p><p>Students and Spartanburg residents took to social media to offer condolences and messages of support to the families and the school community. Many posted on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #BroomeStrong.</p><p>One user tweeted, “Such a small school with so much love #BroomeStrong.” </p><p>Another tweeted the message, “We're in this together Centurions. We need to lift each other up. Not only for the week, but for the rest of the year. #BroomeStrong.”</p><p>District 3 canceled all district-related events on Thursday, including the board of trustees meeting scheduled for Thursday evening.</p><p>Broome hosts Chesnee at 7:30 Friday night. The remembrance ceremony will be held before kickoff.</p><p><hr /></p><p><b>More from Zach Fox: </b> <a href= https://twitter.com/ZachFoxSHJ > Twitter </a> | <a href= http://www.goupstate.com/personalia/20140113 >Articles</a></p>